PREP FOOTBALL: Area’s top gridders set for 27th annual all-star game

The Riverbend will be well-represented at this year’s West Central Illinois All-Star Football Game, set for 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield. The 27th annual contest will feature some 101 senior prep football players from 33 high schools.

Carrollton High football coach Nick Flowers will serve as the coach of the South All-Stars and Williamsville coach Aaron Kunz will be the coach for the North All-Stars. Carlinville coach Chad Easterday is the game’s coordinator.

Practice sessions for the teams will begin at 6 p.m. Monday. The South All-Stars will practice at Lindenwood University-Belleville (the former Belleville West High School campus) and the North will practice at Williamsville High School.

The North leads the South 13-6 in the all-time all-star series. Prior to becoming a North-South game in 1996, the West held a 5-2 lead over the East.

Last year, the North handed the South a 55-30 defeat. The 85 combined points was an all-star game record, breaking the previous mark of 61 points set in 2005.

Telegraph-area players are featured on the South All-Star Team and include three players from Alton High School, two from Calhoun, four from Carlinville, four from Carrollton, two from Civic Memorial, five from Greenfield, two from Jersey, seven from North Greeene, five from Roxana and two from Southwestern.

Admission to the game is $5 for adults or students with children under age 12 admitted free. Gates will open one hour before game time. There will be full concessions available, as well as All-Star Game T-shirts for sale by The Cubby Hole of Carlinville.